Matsushima and Zuiganji Temple

松島と瑞巌寺

Matsushima

On March 11, 2011, we experienced the most disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Japan’s modern history.  The Tohoku earthquake and the subsequent tsunami and crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant caused enormous damage in the municipalities located along coastal areas of northeastern Japan. Although Matsushima suffered from the aftermath of the disaster, tsunami damage was relatively minimal thanks to the islands surrounding and shielding the bay.

Source http://www.matsushima-kanko.com/en/

松島は宮城県の松島湾内外にある大小260余りの諸島のことで日本三景の１つに数えられています。瑞巌寺は伊達正宗公の菩提寺で伊達家歴代の位牌が安置されており愛姫(めごひめ)の墓もあります。

Matsushima　Bay

松島湾

Google map

https://goo.gl/maps/MqS6t94YTuj

I visited Matsushima by the sightseeing cruiser from Marine Gate shiogama, Hon-Shiogama St. 

本塩釜駅で降り、マリンゲート塩釜から松島行のフェリーに乗る

Marine Gate shiogama

Google map

Hon-Shiogama St.

本塩釜駅

https://goo.gl/maps/MtojDbonypu

Google map

Marine Gate shiogama

観光船乗り場

https://goo.gl/maps/1PTmuLR4zQy

sightseeing cruiser

観光船

http://www.marubun-kisen.com/

Matsushima Bay

松島湾

Black-tailed gulls fly around the ship

船の周りをウミネコが飛ぶ

Black-tailed Gull

ウミネコ

Matsushima Bay formed by more than 260 motley kinds of islands

The most beautiful view in all Japan

Matsushima that has been written in Waka(Japanese poetry) since ancient times is well known as the place to dazzle sophisticated individuals every years to come. Matsuo Basho, a poet, once wrote in his famous work "The Narrow Road to the Deep North" extolled Matsushima Bay formed by more than 260 motley kinds of islands having different shapes and sizes. Matsushima as it has been called one of the most representative places in Japan that can offer the view with many beautiful islands truly brings the splendid and exhilarating time with each seasons come.
Source http://www.pref.miyagi.jp/kankou/en/sightseeing/Sightseeing/Matsushima/Matsushima.htm

Matsuo Basho

松尾芭蕉

Islands of Matsushima Bay

Zuiganji Temple

瑞巌寺

Zuiganji Temple was built by Lord Date Masamune. The main hall was built in the traditional study room style of architecture known as shoinzukuri. The roof of its magnificent, single-story main structure is tiled in the hongawarabuki style in which round and square tiles are laid down alternately. Many parts of the temple have been designated as national treasures or important cultural properties. The main hall, priests' quarters and corridors are designated national treasures.

About Zuiganji Temple

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5102.html

http://www.matsushima-kanko.com/en/zekkei.html

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/zuiganji.html

Google map

https://goo.gl/maps/XkvLJa2GXor

伊達正宗公の位牌

Ihai ; Buddhist mortuary tablet of Lord Date Masamune.

The standing statue of Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu

The Art Museum adjacent to Zuiganji Temple houses a number of cultural properties relating to the temple and Date family. The Japanese screens on display, with their colorful paintings, are designated important national cultural properties.

Lord Date Masamune

伊達正宗

Yotokuin's Mausoleum (Hogeden)

This is a mausoleum of Megohime, wife of Date masamune.

陽徳院御霊屋（寶華殿）

伊達正宗公の妻 愛姫(めごひめ)の墓

Shinkansen

Japanese foods are good and safe.

Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.

Oyster

Sushi

Kani no Miso Shiru ; Miso Soup with Crab

カニの味噌汁

Gyutan Yaki ; Grilled Beef Tongue

牛タン焼き

Hotateyaki ; Grilled Scallop

ホタテ焼き

Kakigori ; Shaved Ice

かき氷

Matcha ; Matcha Green Tea(Lt), 

Zunda Mochi ; Edamame Rice Cake(Rt)

抹茶(Lt)&ずんだ餅(Rt)

 About 5 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.

 Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the nuclear power plant accident in Japan.

 Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."

 As PM Abe said, Miyagi prefecture is just next to Fukushima prefecture, people in Miyagi have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in Miyagi have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.

 We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Miyagi. So people in Miyagi are living without any concern about the accident.

 I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.

公衆衛生ネットワーク

Public Health Network in Japan

http://plaza.umin.ac.jp/phnet/